Effect of chemical penetration enhancers on diclofenac diethylamine penetration through barrier from transdermal therapeutic system

Abstract

Ethylcellulose transdermal patches for diclofenac diethylamine (DDA) using chemical penetration enhancers developed. Effect of drug loading and penetration enhancers on the in vitro permeation of drug through cellophane membrane and rat skin was investigated. Incorporation of penetration enhancers enhanced the moisture content, moisture uptake capacity and permeation of diclofenac diethylamine across skin barriers. Among the penetration enhancers used, propylene glycol found to be most effective. Comparison of steady state flux (J) values obtained with various barriers revealed that permeation was in following order: rat skin >cellophane membrane. The anti- inflammatory effect of formulation with penetration enhancer was more than that without penetration enhancer. Stability studies did not show any degradation of the drug. In conclusion, stable and effective diclofenac diethylamine transdermal patches can be prepared using chemical penetration enhancers.